Kevin Pietersen said he was proud of his England team despite watching Sachin Tendulkar lead India to an historic and emotional six-wicket victory in Chennai today.

Needing 387 to take the First Test, the home side achieved the fourth highest successful run chase in history, thanks to master batsman Tendulkar, who ended unbeaten on 103.

"Who can write Sachin Tendulkar's script any better?" asked captain Pietersen as England tried to come to terms with a defeat which looked out of the question yesterday.

"The man from Mumbai came in and scored a sensational hundred today. He batted like a superstar. We tried everything we could but unfortunately he just came good. He is a superman and he played a fantastic game of cricket."

Mumbai resident Tendulkar knew two of those killed in last month's terror attack and he made it clear that today's century, and India's victory, meant a huge amount to him.

"By no means am I saying this will make everyone forget what happened in Mumbai, but I'd like to thank England for coming back and playing Test cricket and we've witnessed a wonderful match," said the 35-year-old.

"I don't think by India winning or me scoring a hundred, people who have lost their loved ones will feel any better, but whatever manner we can contribute we'll make that effort."

While India celebrated, England reflected on missing out on what would have been a remarkable victory of their own after all the security concerns.

"It's a bitter pill to swallow, but we tried our hearts out," said Pietersen.

"The boys are not happy but I think both teams can be really proud with the way they have played Test match cricket over the five days. The tragedy in Mumbai obviously was not in the script and for both teams to put on a performance like they have done I think they can be really proud of themselves."

With strike bowler Steve Harmison entrusted with just six overs all day and No1 spinner Monty Panesar unable to pick up a single wicket on a helpful pitch, England failed to put India under enough pressure, especially while Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh were adding 163 unbeaten runs for the fifth wicket.

Pietersen, though, refused to blame today's bowling display, the inability to score more runs at a faster rate yesterday or a lack of preparation for this defeat. Our batters have done a fantastic job in getting us into a position where we think we should have won the Test," said Pietersen, who revealed he is playing with a fractured rib.

"People can nit-pick and talk about individuals and their performances, but we win as a team and lose as a team as well. I'm not going to start picking out individuals. We've just got to pick ourselves up for the next game.

"I said before the Test we were not going to use any excuses for losing or not putting on a real good performance. But I think our lads put on a fantastic performance over the five days - I'm so proud of that dressing room."

England coach Peter Moores said: "It was a hard day to watch. The lads have put everything into it but came out with nothing."